Morning light spilled across the room, soft and golden, but it didn't reach the storm brewing in Adrian's chest.
He had kissed her.
No—he had claimed her, as if one kiss could erase the years of restraint, the secrets, the shadows he carried. And worse… she had kissed him back. Fiercely. Completely.
Lying awake, he watched Amara stir beside him on the couch. She wasn't his—not really, not yet—but the memory of her lips made his pulse race like a man standing on the edge of a cliff.
He should leave. He should vanish before his past caught up to her. But when she opened her eyes and smiled softly, as if the world was right because he was there, Adrian knew—he was already too far gone.
The knock came just as Amara was pouring coffee.
It was sharp, impatient, the kind of knock that demanded rather than requested.
Adrian stiffened. His blood ran cold. He knew that rhythm.
No… not her. Not now.
Amara frowned, unaware of the storm he felt. "I'll get it."
"Amara—" he began, but the door was already swinging open.
And there she was.
Cassandra.
Perfect hair, perfect lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She leaned casually against the doorframe, as if she owned the world—and him.
"Well, well," she drawled, her gaze flicking from Amara to Adrian. "I was beginning to wonder where you'd gone off to, darling."
Amara froze. Darling?
Her eyes darted to Adrian, searching for an explanation, but his face was pale, his jaw clenched tight.
Cassandra stepped inside without invitation, her perfume invading the room like poison. "You didn't tell me you'd made a new… friend." Her smile sharpened. "Or should I say, distraction?"
Amara's chest tightened. Something in Cassandra's tone dripped with familiarity, with ownership, and it clawed at her like thorns.
"Cassandra, leave," Adrian said, his voice low, dangerous.
But Cassandra only laughed, tilting her head. "Leave? Oh, Adrian. You know better. You can't run from me—not when I know everything."
Her gaze slid back to Amara, predatory now. "Tell me, sweetheart… has he told you why he can't let me go? Has he told you the little secret that binds us together?"
Amara's blood ran cold. She turned to Adrian, her voice trembling.
"What is she talking about?"
Adrian's silence was louder than any confession.
And Amara's heart cracked—not because of Cassandra's words, but because the man who had kissed her like she was his world… couldn't meet her eyes.